Pick Up FREE OUR MARTYR SAINTS COME HOME

2 CATHOLIC PEOPLENews of diocesan vocationsIntroduction by Fr Nicholas WilliamsVocations DirectorWelcome to the second annualedition of our Vocations Magazine,following on from another mostextraordinary and unprecedented year.Nevertheless, our release date, tendingto fall around Vocations Sunday eachyear, presents an opportunity for us toreflect and report on how the last few 12months has impacted the life of ourpriests and seminarians in variousdifferent ways.At this point of writing (late April 2021)we are beginning to emerge from yetanother lockdown and are all I’m sure atthe very least feeling tired, disconnectedand quite frankly, fed up of discussingthe pandemic.For this reason, I decided not todominate this magazine by discussingCovid. However, at the same time I feelthat it is important to celebrate the role ofour many hospital chaplains (only aselection of whom are able to beincluded here) and suggest that thisimportant role deserves to behighlighted.These volunteers exercise a ministrythat most, if not all, priests becomeinvolved in at some point in their life andis one of the most rewarding aspects ofpriesthood.Some of our chaplains have alsocaught covid themselves as a directconsequence of their presence amongstthe sick and, in cases, have sufferedquite serious effects.However, recognising the importanceof focusing on other aspects of life thathave continued despite the disruption, inthis issue, we give an overview of what’sbeen going on our schools departmentLet Biblical Inspiration Fire Your Imagination!IT IS WONDERFUL WORSHIPPINGGOD IN CHURCH TOGETHER!3 minute reading and meditation withTeresa O’DriscollEmail: teresa@teresaodriscoll.co.ukWhat joy to taste freedom again! Whilekeeping a beady eye on Covid-19 variants,“This cup ismany of us are grabbing the chance tothe newreunite with loved ones. (If things havecovenant indeteriorated by the time you read this, Imy blood,hope you maximized the respite!).which isBest of all, for me, is getting back to churchpoured out– where I found strict safety measures inplace. I feel so blessed receiving Holyfor you”Communion physically again, as opposedto spiritually. I was, though, grateful for thePhilippiansability to tune in, through a variety of4:13mediums, to Holy Mass, during lockdown. Isuppose, like me, you will never take yourreligious freedom for granted again! Try this meditation to ponder briefly on that.1. Read Luke 22:14-202. Sit up straight and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few seconds.Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your body relax.3. Now meditate for a few moments on the times you had to follow Mass by computer orphone.4. Now say this prayer – or one of your own – ‘Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You that You and Inever have to stay socially distanced from each other! Please let me feel Your nearness as Iworship in church again. I ask this in Your name. Amen.’5. When you are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then open your eyes and have abig stretch.May you never take the privilege of worshipping God publicly for granted.God blessTeresaFor more on the above topic please see Teresa’s blog:http://teresaodriscoll.blogspot.co.uk/Teresa O’Driscoll is the author of 9 Days to Heaven, How to makeeverlasting meaning of your lifeYour Catholic People Editorial Dr James Campbell-Editor. Archbishop’s House, 43 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HDTel: (029) 2022 0411 Fax: (029) 2037 9036 Email: publications@rcadc.org and Articles to be received by the 20th of themonth for inclusion in the following month.During the present pandemic the Editor is self isolating but can be contacted through his mobile 07872 580260 andpersonal email address jamescampbell221@btinternet.comAdvertising Tel: 0151 709 7567Designed & Produced Mersey Mirror, Suite 4, Pacific Chambers, 11-13 Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 5QQ. Tel: 0151 7097567 Email: Kim.Obrien@cpmmmedia.comSubmission of photographs Please note photographs submitted for publication must be in jpeg or pdf format. Those inWord format cannot be acceptedEmail: Please send your copy and pictures for publication to both email addresses publications@rcadc.org andjamescampbell221@btinternet.com.Articles to be received by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the following month.and provide other other vocationsstories.I am, personally, very much lookingforward to the opportunities that beinga University Chaplain will bring to thefore in all sorts of respects, not leasthow that ties up with vocationaldiscernment.Whether our calling lies in marriage,religious life or priesthood, to stand anychance of being able to discover whatwe are being asked to live out, at apersonal level, we must first learn howto be a Christian. More particularly, thismeans to learn how to become adisciple of Christ.We must ensure that we do not placeobstacles between what we selfishlyplan for ourselves and what is God’swill for us. If we do not learn how tocarve out the space for prayer, we aresimply unequipped to hear the voice ofGod that comes through silence.This principle applies equally toparents and their own children; it is nowcommon for children to be afraid ofwhat their own parents might say, ifthey feel that they are genuinely beingcalled to follow God in a way thatdoesn’t involve a conventional career orlifestyle.If God our Father, the beginning andend of all happiness and fulfilment, hascalled a person to a vocation, our role isonly to help guide them to hear thatcalling more clearly.Vocations in their different respectsdon’t come from other people’sfamilies; they don’t happen to otherpeople; It is our solemn duty tounderstand what God’s purpose is forus, personally, in our own lives.Otherwise we are destined to a life thatdoes not fulfil us, that does notchallenge us and does not cause us togrow closer to God. This is a life thatdoes not require courage or sacrificeand does not lead to the greatness thatGod wishes for us.For more details go tionsmag-2021.pdfSettled Status for EU citizens inUK or residency rights forBritish citizens in EU countries?By Jim BarnavilleThis Special News Item wasprompted by the item in the CBCEWNewsletter. It contains News itemsand links to remind people of the UKGovernment’s deadline for EU, EEAand Swiss citizens living in the UK toapply for Settled Status by30.06.2021.At the same time, I have provided areminder that British citizens living inthe EU need to apply for residencestatus in the country they are residingin.In both the EU and the UK there arepeople who need assistance insecuring Settled / Residency rights.The International Organization forMigration (IOM), for example, hasprovided practical support to UKNationals who may have found it harderto complete all their residencyapplications to secure and maintaintheir residency rights in EU countriesnow that the UK has left the EU.In March 2020, IOM, through the UKNationals Support Fund (UKNSF),aimed to reach 30,000 at-risk UKNationals during that year throughinformation activities and practicalsupport in France, Spain, Poland,Slovakia, Germany, Italy and Portugal.IOM, together with its partners, raisedawareness among UK Nationals livingin the seven EU states, sharingaccessible information on residencyrequirements, and providing directpractical support in completingapplications for those in situationswhere access to information andapplication processes have beendifficult.While information provided online andthrough other media has been availableto all, for targeted events and referralsfor direct case support, IOM focused onindividuals who faced specificchallenges, such as people living withdisabilities, those grappling with chronicillness, language and literacy barriers,or barriers in accessing technology.I'd be grateful if clergy and laity,parishes and organisations, in receipt ofthis email, would circulate it to as manyof their members as possible.

CATHOLIC PEOPLE 3Golden wedding celebrationEditorialRemember yourgrandparents!We have several articles in this edition whenwe are urged to appreciate ourgrandparents this month on the First WorldDay of Grandparents and the Elderly.Your editor has a vested interest in this,being the grandfather of three boys 2 yearsold, 8 years old and nine years old.What a joy they bring to my wife and myselfin our aged years, bringing back memoriesof looking after their lovely parents whogave us our lovely grandkids!Pope Francis started this initiative as youcan see from the article in this editioncontributed by our own correspondentJoanne White. She has given some greatsuggestions on how schools andgrandchildren at home can appreciate theirloving grandpa and grandma, as well asother elderly relations.Do take her suggestions to heart!Our MartyrsOn Saturday 19th June 2021, Christine and Peter Searlecelebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.Their day began with Mass at St Davids Cathedral, duringwhich they renewed their vows, and had their wedding ringsBlessed by Fr Daniel. Afterwars Chris decribed this as a trulyamazing celebration at the very heart of their marriage. Familycelebrations followedTheir story began in 1969 in Bristol Chris having left theRhondda to start her nursing training and Pete had just returnedto his Bristol family after working in Canada. Peter was very“Catholic” and Chris “Very Welsh Baptist”, her mam had told her“not to have anything to do with those Catholics. they do weirdstuff!! (she did not listen of course).They were engaged and were married at St AndrewsTonypandy.Peters brother Mark, a Franciscan priest, was allowed to give aBlessing at their marriage. In due course Chris became aCatholic and their two sons Ben and Joe have continued in theirFaith having been educated at Cardinal Newman School inPontypridd.Incidentally, Chris’s mum (In spite of her earlier warning!)herself became a Catholic!Congratulations to them both and may their future yearstogether continue to be Blessed with Joy and HappinessThe article on page 1 by Archbishop Georgeis intensely moving.These priests died for their faith and for usand we must remember the horriblesacrifices and deaths of Saints Philip Evansand John Lloyd. I always look up to theirstatues in St David’s Cathedral when Iattend Mass.What courage they had for our faith.

4 CATHOLIC PEOPLECaritas Calling!– July / August 2021 Continued from Page 8valued so that complementarity of skills and diversity of roles can lead to acommon resource of mutual participation” because “poverty is not the result offate but it is the result of selfishness” and “individualistic lifestyles are complicit ingenerating poverty, and often saddle the poor with responsibility for theircondition.” Pope Francis went on to underline the need for a different approach topoverty which should motivate us “to creative planning, aimed at increasing thefreedom needed to live a life of fulfilment according to the abilities of eachperson,” instead of talking about the poor in the abstract and in terms of statistics.“Be open to reading the signs of the times ”“We need to be open to reading the signs of the times that ask us to find newways of being evangelizers in the contemporary world,” Pope Francis urged,warning that immediate assistance in responding to the needs of the poor mustnot prevent us from showing foresight in implementing new signs of Christian loveand charity as a response to the new forms of poverty experienced by humanitytoday. Concluding his message, the Holy Father expressed hope that the WorldDay would grow in our local Churches and “inspire a movement of evangelizationthat meets the poor personally wherever they may be.” He urged everyone not towait for the poor to knock on our doors but to rather urgently reach them in theirhomes, hospitals, on the streets Read the Pope’s Message:https://tinyurl.com/nh4zrwwx9. Film sheds light on realities facing migrants to Europe29th June 2021 tas organisations around Europe are promoting a new film, “The Game:Fortress of Europe”, which reveals some of the harsh conditions faced by peopleon the roads through the Balkans, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while trying toreach safety in Europe. Financed by the “Active citizens fund Slovenia”, thedocumentary is the fruit of collaboration between Caritas Slovenia and theSlovenian national television station. As a continuation of the MIND Project onmigration and development, the documentary supports efforts by national Caritasagencies advocating in the European Union for more humane and welcomingEuropean migration policies. The documentary is available to watch here: TelevizijaSlovenija - RTVSLO.si10. Grassroots ParticipationPreface to Small Steps, Big Difference - Grassroots Participation Handbook, JorgeNuño Mayer, Secretary General, Caritas Europa, 2018.https://tinyurl.com/hvedmpt4‘There might be people who think: “Why would Caritas Europa care about thelocal level of Caritas? This is the role of the Diocesan or national Caritas.” – For methat question is as if the leaves or branches of a tree shouldn’t care about theroots. We have to care! My own experience in Parish and Diocesan Caritas tellsme how motivating it is and how much it fosters innovation and new ways of doingthings when you sense very concretely how the ‘upper’ levels in the organisationcare for you, support you and transmit the best experiences of other places. Wehave to care!A brief reflection on the two words in the title of this handbook:“Grassroots.” It is the space of encounter of people in need, volunteers andCaritas staff. It is a space of constructing local community. It is the most genuineCaritas work of direct help and accompaniment. All the other levels of Caritas, alsothe European level, are just there to enable this encounter. Although we are allimportant with different roles, Caritas’ priority is at this level where the love-theneighbour-commandment takes place.“Participation.” The Social Teaching of the Catholic Church, based on the Gospeland the practical experience of accompanying people in need, is very clear onthis. Already in 1965 the Decree Apostolicam Actuositatem stresses theimportance of participation of people in need to manage their own lives (chapter8) and the participation of the laity in parishes and society (chapters 9-10). Whena Caritas organisation is well rooted in the local level (parishes, communities,volunteer groups, Young Caritas, etc.), with a high degree of ownership by andparticipation of the entire community; when Caritas ensures that people in needare not just objects of its help and assistance, but participate actively in their owndevelopment and that of their communities, then Caritas is strong and theorganisation is sustainable. And the other way round: Caritas is weak when this isnot cared for. A Caritas organisation can have many employees, many projectsand a high budget, but if the grassroots participation fails, it is a weak Caritas.“Strengthening the Network” is one of Caritas Europa’s three priorities. Grassrootsparticipation is at the very essence of Caritas, a core element to make our networkstronger. Based on many experiences in different Caritas organisations, thishandbook intends to be an inspiration for all levels in our network. We hope it willserve to reaffirm good practices, it will guide communities in their developmentand it will encourage new developments to strengthen Caritas. Together we makeCaritas stronger!’11. Caritas development in the Archdiocese of CardiffWe can help to build ‘grassroots participation’ in our parish communities byproviding workshops on community development and organising skills throughdeanery workshops.For details please contact: Jim Barnaville, Coordinator, Caritas Archdioceseof Cardiff. Email: caritas@rcadc.orgCardinal: Appreciategrandparents andthe elderly as ‘giftsof God’25 July 2021 is the inaugural World Dayfor Grandparents and the Elderly in theCatholic Church.Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of theBishops’ Conference, is echoing the Pope’swords to young people encouraging them totalk to their grandparents if they want to bea sign of hope for the world.Promoting the important connectionbetween generations, Cardinal Nichols said:“Elderly people get isolated, grandparentsoften get forgotten. But a day of prayer willhelp us to remember that we are gifts toeach other because we are gifts of God.And if we give thanks for those gifts, we’llappreciate them.”Full MessagePope Francis is not young. In fact, he’sgetting on in years, but he has this terrificsense of the connection betweengenerations and its importance.So I’m not surprised that he’s establishedfor this year on 25 July, a World Day ofPrayer for Grandparents and the Elderly.One of the most remarkable things Iremember him saying to a million youngpeople at one of the World Youth Days wasthis:“If you want to be a sign of hope for theworld, go and talk to your grandparents.”And in that way, he expressed so much ofwhat we need in our society of thecontinuity between the generations. And aday of prayer is important because we’relacking in that often. Elderly people getisolated, grandparents often get forgotten.But a day of prayer will help us to rememberthat we are gifts to each other because weare gifts of God. And if we give thanks forthose gifts, we’ll appreciate them.So please remember to pray forgrandparents and the elderly on 25 July, andremember, if you want to be a sign of hope,go and talk to your grandparents and mayGod bless you all.Priest Training Fund AppealInvesting in vocations ensures that future generations will enjoy the supportand guidance of a parish priest.We ask our friends, and those who share our vision for a world transformed byJesus Christ, to consider how they might be able to help.This Year donations to the Priests Training Fund will be matched pound-for-poundby the Jesuit Seminary and Mission Fund.*If you would like to support the Priest Training Fund appeal please follow this linkto our donation page or scan the attached QR code poster. Alternatively you canrequest a gift aid envelope at your parish church.Your generosity and prayers make this possible. Thank you.* Up to a maximum of 20,000

CATHOLIC PEOPLE 5The Pope urges: “Rememberyour grandparents this month”The First World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly - July 25th 2021By Joanne WhitePope Francis has decided to institute a Churchwide celebration of a World Day for Grandparentsand the Elderly. Starting this year, it will be held onthe fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgicalmemorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, thegrandparents of Jesus.The Holy Father explained he has done this because“grandparents are often forgotten, and we forget thiswealth of preserving roots and passing on” what theelderly have received.He emphasized the importance of grandparents andgrandchildren getting to know one another, because“as the prophet Joel says, grandparents seeing theirgrandchildren dream,” while “young people, drawingstrength from their grandparents, will go forward andprophesy.”(Vatican News)Here in the Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff, theFamily Life Commission, are inviting our families,parishes and schools to mark this special day of prayerin some special way by celebrating our owngrandparents, and would like to offer our suggestionswith those of the Pope, his Dicastery for Laity, Familyand Life, and others.Even though we are still living under restrictions ofthe pandemic, there are many opportunities still opento us to enable us to celebrate; we just need to thinkcreatively and with the experience and new skills learntduring the past year or so.Honour the elderlyIn parishes Celebrate one of the Sunday Masses of July 25th forthe intentions of all grandparents and the elderly ofour parish community, especially those who havebeen impacted by the pandemic. Include bidding prayers for the elderly and forgrandparents Make the Pope’s message to Grandparents and theElderly available to all via social media, email or letteras appropriateIn schools Remember grandparents and the elderly in prayersduring July Hold a special assembly, that could be livestreamed, celebrating grandparents and the elderly Ask pupils (and staff) to complete the following, "MyGrandparents (Grandmother/Grandfather) is/ arespecial because.” This can be written down, spoken as a recording oras a video Your school could compile a celebratory video toshow how important our grandparents and elderlyfriends are to us Your compilations, or individual responses, couldthen be shared with the Family Life Commission byemail to flc@rcadc.org by July 16th With your permission, compilations and a selectionof responses will shared via social media tocelebrate collectively the grandparents and elderly ofour archdiocese – we will also include them in anarticle for the August edition of the Catholic People(which is now available online)Contact grandpa and grandmaAt Home Remember grandparents and the elderly in prayersduring July If possible, visit a grandparent or older member ofyour family If it’s not possible to visit, ring or chat with themvirtually Draw a picture, write a letter or make a cardespecially for a grandparent or older member of yourfamily to show them you care and that they arealways in your thoughts Grandchildren (of any age) to complete thefollowing, "My Grandparents(Grandmother/Grandfather) is/ are specialbecause.” Grandparents (of any age) complete the following,“The joy of being a grandparent is .” These responses can be written, spoken as arecording or as a video Responses should be sent to flc@rcadc.org by July16th A compilation of responses will be produced andshared via social media to celebrate collectively thegrandparents and elderly of our archdiocese, as wellas an article in the August edition of the CatholicPeople (which is now available online)There are many websites offering creative ideas ofthings to make and do as ‘gifts’ for grandparents andthe elderly so have some fun! For example, theCatholic Grandparents Association is inviting familiesand parishes to ‘Plant a Tree in their Memory’ as part ofthe World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, onSunday 25 July.The First World Day of Grandparents and the Elderlyis being celebrated midway through the year dedicatedto family by the Holy Father on the fifth anniversary ofthe apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. The “AmorisLaetitia Family Year” is an initiative of Pope Francis,which aims to reach every family around the worldthrough several spiritual, pastoral and culturalproposals that can be implemented within parishes,dioceses, universities, ecclesial movements and familyassociations.The experience of the pandemic has highlighted thecentral role of the family as the domestic Church andthe importance of community ties between families.Such ties make the Church an authentic “family offamilies” (AL 87).‘The family deserves a year of celebration, so that itcan be given a central place in the commitment andcare of every pastoral and ecclesial reality.’(Dicasteryfor Laity, Family & Life)To find out more about the Amoris Laetitia FamilyYear 2020 – 2021 please visit the familylife/en/amoris-laetitia.htmlHowever you celebrate the first World Day forGrandparents and the Elderly, please don’t forget to letus know and we’ll let others know too! flc@rcadc.org

6 CATHOLIC PEOPLECELEBRATING THEARCHDIOCESANEVANGELISATIONPROGRAMMEMembers of the Diocesan EvangelisationCommission delivered the last Unit of theProgramme: Spread the Gospel: Developing aMissionary Parish on Wednesday, June 16th.The Commission reports that the Programme wasvery well received by both the clergy and laity fromacross the Archdiocese from parishes representingeach of the six Deaneries. Between 30 and 40 peopleattended each of the seven sessions.Please see below a sample of the feedback I’ve had.It has come to me voluntarily through emails. We havenot asked for it as yet.“I have found the Programme both helpful andchallenging and enjoyed listening and sharing with theother participants. I am sure it will continue to growand be an important part of the process ofevangelisation. I will pray that God will bless you inyour work in this important and vital area of theChurch's mission.” (Chris, Barry)“I really enjoyed the whole course. I thought it wasreally well put together and every member of yourteam did such a great job. I thought it was wonderfuland the Holy Spirit breathed on us Please thank your team and a big thank you to YOUtoo.” (Maria, Maesteg)“I would like to thank you and your colleagues forthe time and effort you put into the EvangelisationProgramme. I found it very powerful and hope I canuse what I learnt to make a difference in my parish. Ialso found that attending the course via Zoom workedvery effectively.” (Martin, Cardiff)“This is a highly developed programme, enablingindividuals and parishes to acknowledge and take outto others what comes from our baptism, the encounterwith Jesus Christ. The programme is steeped inscripture and prayer, and strives to prepare modernday disciples to be heralds of the Gospel in their ownpersonal circumstances. It equips us to beparticipants in the mission of Jesus Christ in deliveringthe Good News to those we encounter.” (Kate Duffin,Scripture Champion)Following the success of the Programme and inanswer to further applications, the DiocesanEvangelisation Commission is offering it again,beginning in September 2021. We have already had22 applications!It is a seven-week programme, running for one andhalf hours via Zoom on one evening a week. The datesSafeguarding organisation to be set upA new organisation made up of survivors of clerical abuse is to be set up to advis

Editorial Dr James Campbell-Editor. Archbishop’s House, 43 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HD Tel: (029) 2022 0411 Fax: (029) 2037 9036 Email: